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Fate of genetically modified maize and conventional rapeseed, and endozoochory in wild boar (Sus scrofa)

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Abstract

Feeding experiments were carried out to investigate the digestive fate of transgenic DNA and novel protein in wild boar applying polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunodiagnostic techniques. Furthermore, the dispersal of viable maize and rapeseed (endozoochory) was studied. A diet containing conventional rapeseed, and either genetically modified (GM) maize expressing Cry1Ab protein (Bt176) or non-GM isogenic maize was offered. By conventional and quantitative PCR both chloroplast-specific plant DNA (rubisco) and cry1Ab gene fragments were detected only in gastrointestinal content. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) positive signals of immunoactive Cry1Ab protein were detected in digesta samples. Analysis of endozoochory showed that excreted maize seeds retain their germination capacity only in extremely rare cases and no intact rapeseed was found in faeces. A possible dispersal of viable seeds by wild boars is highly unlikely.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physiology Weihenstephan, Technische Universität München, Weihenstephaner Berg 3, 85354, Freising, Germany

    Steffi Wiedemann, Bodo Lutz, Christiane Albrecht & Heinrich H. D. Meyer

  2. Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of Bern, Buehlstr. 28, CH-3012, Bern, Switzerland

    Christiane Albrecht

  3. Wildlife Biology and Wildlife Management Unit, Technische Universität München, Am Hochanger 13, 85354, Freising, Germany

    Ralph Kuehn

  4. Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture, Lange Point 6, 85354, Freising, Germany

    Berta Killermann

  5. Institute of Veterinary Biochemistry, Free University Berlin, Oertzenweg 19b, 14163, Berlin, Germany

    Ralf Einspanier

Authors
  1. Steffi Wiedemann
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  2. Bodo Lutz
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  3. Christiane Albrecht
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  4. Ralph Kuehn
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  5. Berta Killermann
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  6. Ralf Einspanier
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  7. Heinrich H. D. Meyer
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Correspondence to Steffi Wiedemann.

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Wiedemann, S., Lutz, B., Albrecht, C. et al. Fate of genetically modified maize and conventional rapeseed, and endozoochory in wild boar (Sus scrofa). Mamm Biol 74, 191–197 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mambio.2008.07.002

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mambio.2008.07.002

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